Tonko's still joyriding, assembly-style

Paul Tonko, most recently NYSERDA CEO and all-but-announced congressional candidate, may no longer be an assemblyman, but he still drives like one. Tonko left the post last June to take the position at NYSERDA and was replaced in a special election by Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam.

Official license plates are registered for two years at a time, with all Assembly/ Senate plates set to expire Dec. 31, 2008, before the swearing-in in 2009. It isn’t illegal for legislators who leave before their term is up to keep their plates, according to the DMV.

Amedore was assigned assembly plates when he came into office, so he hasn’t suffered for Tonko’s retention of the plates. But his office has gotten calls and staff has received comments about Tonko’s plates being seen around town.